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International School Manila For ATTENDANCE concerns,

please contact the HS Office


(Sam Ramos or Laurie Atilano)
Tel: 840 8650 / 840 8653
or email HSOffice@ismanila.org

For GUIDANCE concerns, please


contact Gigi Azarcon and Jasmin
October 8, 2010 Andres Tel:840-8655 / 840-8660

Dear Parents,

This week saw the return of our IASAS athletes from Bangkok and Jakarta. Although there
was a shortage of medals this time, I have been extremely pleased to hear the reports of
their levels of participation and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Well done to
all the athletes and coaches, we are very proud of you. Mr. Brown enjoyed the soccer
competition in Jakarta and has extended his stay for an extra couple of days in order to
chair the meeting of the IASAS Governing Body – he will return to Manila this weekend and
be back in school on Monday.

Again, many thanks for all the positive feedback on the new online Parent Teacher
Conference (PTC) scheduling system. Just to remind you all that from Monday October
11 t h , you will have the opportunity to logon for a second time and reserve up to 4 more
conferences (making a total of 8) to see the remaining teachers for your son/daughter
(pending availability).

Two weeks ago, we had two representatives from FCD (Freedom from Chemical
Dependency) here in school for the entire week to educate our middle and high school
community on the topic of drugs – both legal and illegal – both socially acceptable and
taboo. During their visit they managed to meet with all of our grade 9 students on 2 or 3
occasions and the rest of our high school student body at least once. They left with some
interesting comments regarding their discussions with our students and I will be reporting
some of their feedback to parents during the high school Parent Coffee morning next
Tuesday, October 12 t h at 9.30am in the Little Theater.

At the same Parent Coffee morning next week, our new guidance dynamic duo of Steve
Ayling and Doug McQueen will be sharing their thoughts and ideas on how to broach the
subject of Grades with your child through an interactive workshop. Should they be used
as a carrot or a stick or simply an indication of understanding? Are they as important to
students as they are to parents (or vice versa)? In the upcoming PTC's, what questions
could you ask the teachers regarding the development of your child’s learning and
demonstrated understanding as reflected by the grade for that subject?

We look forward to seeing as many parents as possible at the parent coffee.

Kind Regards,
 

Mike Dickinson
High School Assistant Principal


HS Calendar:  Invitation to HS Parent Coffee: 
Monday, October 11   
  All  parents  are  invited  to  come  the  the  High  School  Parent 
Tuesday, October 12:    Coffee…. 
HS Parent Coffee  9.30 – 11.00 am (Little Theater)   
ISSBA meeting with Councils (Room 1057)  When:   Tuesday, October 12 
  Where:  Little Theater 
Wednesday, October 13:  Time:    9:30 – 11:00 am 
Student Late Start   
  AGENDA FOR PARENT COFFEE: 
Thursday, October 14:   
HS Play 7.00 pm (Fine Arts Theater)  1. Update  on  HS  Play  and  ISM  90th  Anniversary  events  by 
  Vicki Close, Performing Arts Director. 
Friday, October 15: 
HS Play 7.00 pm (Fine Arts Theater)  2. Update  on  1st  season  IASAS  by  Mark  Pekin,  Athletics 
  Director.  
Saturday, October 16:  3. Freedom from  Chemical  Dependency  FCD   feedback of 
Saturday Service   counselors.  
PSAT 8.00 am – 1.00 pm (HS Gym) 
HS Play 3.00pm & 7.00 pm (Fine Arts Theater)  4. Parent Teacher Conference 2010. 
 
Upcoming Events:  5. “Grades and  your  child”  Talk  given  by  Counselors  Steve 
October 18‐19: Parent Teacher Conferences  Ayling and Doug McQueen. 
October 21: HS Sports Awards Dinner 
October 22:  Filipiniana   
October  25 – November 2:  SCHOOL HOLIDAY   

FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE:


PSAT REGISTRATION:
Please consider registering for the PSAT that will be held at ISM on Saturday October 16. This test is only offered
once a year! We STRONGLY recommend that all sophomores and juniors take this exam as a way to begin
preparation for the SAT.

Registering for the PSAT is simple—go to the cashier’s office and pay USD 18. Be sure to pick up the PSAT review
booklet along with your receipt. The registration deadline is Friday October 8!

If you want more information about the PSAT, then come see your counselor and/or go to the blog post with the
presentation from the September 8 assembly: http://guidance.ism-online.org/2010/09/08/gr-10-assembly-on-
psatfamily-connection/

Note from Model United Nations (MUN):


 
The Young and the Eloquent: ISM’s Model United Nation’s Locals 2010 
By: Akshar Bonu 
 
Tradition: “the handing down of statement and beliefs, legends, customs, information etc. from generation to generation esp. 
by  word  of  mouth  or  practice”.  The  International  School  of  Manila’s  Locals  Model  United  Nation  conference  can  be 
constituted as none other than one of the proudest and strongest traditions of our school. From September 30 to October 2, 
the tradition began its latest chapter with Locals 2010.  
 
Conceived under Mr. Jeff Buscher almost nine years ago, this conference has remained a pertinent part of our MUN program, 
being the culminating event after two months of difficult, albeit rewarding, efforts. Not only does it act as a “tryout” for the 
various trips for ISM delegates, but it also gives students the closest experience to prestigious MUN conferences they may be 
selected  for.  For  nine  years  it  remained  unchanged,  with  the  annual  crisis  situation,  eloquent  keynote  speakers  and  the 
typical rules of procedure. Until last year, Locals had always been a strictly‐ISM event, and the inclusion of the British School 
Manila into our conference added a completely new dimension to debate, as they brought in a new array of debaters and 
ideologies. The sole general assembly was split into two and the United Nation’s Security Council was also conceived. All of 
this however was nothing compared to Locals 2010; Locals 2009 on steroids. A new tradition was born. 
 
Under  the  vision  and  foresight  of  ISM  and  BSM  student  leaders  and  advisers,  Locals  this  year  moved  approximately  two 
hundred meters from its home of nine years while simultaneously being completely revamped. The British School of Manila, 
literally ISM’s next‐door neighbor, proudly took their turn to host. Locals also opened its doors to a multitude of local schools 
including  Xavier,  Southridge,  Brent,  Faith  Academy,  Miriam  and  La  Salle.  Once  having  only  one  general  assembly,  it  now 
hosted three, alongside a newly inducted International Court of Justice and, of course, the electronic MUNews. The hundreds 
of new delegates bring in a host of new ideas and perspectives making the conference bigger and more comprehensive than 
before. 
 
But  was  it  necessarily  better?  Simply  put,  yes  it  was.  The  change  in  environment  from  a  theatre  to  a  gym,  at  least  for 
committee one, brings in a pleasant new scenery. The facilities provided by the school are equal to that of ISM and do not 
detract from the Locals experience. In fact, they improve it. The many new schools and faces make the conference look eerily 
like actual  large  conferences  such as  those we  attend  abroad.  Having been  to  IASAS  MUN,  the variety  of local  schools are 
slowly defining locals as more than just a “tryout” for prestigious conferences but rather a prestigious conference itself. The 
multitude of committees reinforces this resemblance, as it is the trademark of prestigious conferences to have the various 
organs of the United Nations represented separately. 
 
Though arguably, the most significant change to Locals was non‐debate related. Under the developing ‘Green‐vision’ of both 
ISM and BSM, Locals 2010 became paper‐less. All resolutions, a fancy term for “proposals” by nations on world issues, were 
accessible online. Normally, in all international conferences, resolutions are printed for delegates. For larger conferences this 
can be thousands of sheets of paper when taking into consideration the numerous resolutions debated in the duration of the 
conference.  Locals  2010  proudly  stood  ahead  of  its  international  counterparts  implementing  imperative  green‐measures 
which sadly in the real United Nations never passed the drafting stage, Copenhagen 2009 case and point.  
 


Extending  past  this,  Locals  2010  also  saw  the  near‐diminishment  of  normal  note  passing  —    when  debates  are  going  on, 
delegates are not allowed speak to one another hence they have to use notes to communicate with another.  Conventionally, 
small  pieces  of  paper  were  used  however  this  year  saw  the  introduction  of  “Note‐Skyping”.  Delegates  created  their  own 
Skype  addresses  and  Skype  became  the  platform  of  all  communication  between  delegates.  Not  only  did  it  save  valuable 
paper but also increased efficiency of communication arguably correlating to better debates.  
 
With all these changes taking place, it was only human nature to be skeptical about the success of Locals 2010; whether it was 
concerns  about  “Note‐Skyping”  or  the  creation  of  an  International  Court  of  Justice.  However,  by  the  end  of  the  Locals 
conference, all participants, the delegates and the advisors, could attest that the Locals 2010 was the finest in its history. The 
level  of  debate  was  superior,  with  delegations  representing  their  states  to  the  word  and  delivering  eloquently  and 
masterfully orated speeches. Resolutions were comprehensive reflecting a nation’s policy on the issue, some arguably at the 
standard of actual United Nation resolutions. It was a conference that all participating students will never forget and those 
luckily enough to return are eagerly awaiting next year, when we get to host again. 
 
But even now, Locals’ growth does not end here. The latest chapter has only opened a door to a wide range of possibilities 
ranging from exciting new opportunities for inter‐school cooperation to modeling more organs of the United Nations. As it 
becomes more popular amongst international and local schools it may even become recognized as a fully fledged conference 
for schools all across the Philippines, ambitiously the region and then globally, in the process challenging the dominant MUN 
conferences of the nation. Who knows, in the future, Locals may even be one of the prestigious conferences delegates have 
to “try out” for in order to attend, as it certainly now meets the standards set by such conferences. Maybe we can globalize 
our GreenMUN vision! 
 
Akshar Bonu 
MUN Delegate for the DPRK 

FROM PTA OFFICE:


**TRAVEL EXPO**
For the ISM Community
Sponsored by the ISM PTA

Tuesday, October 12, 2010


7:30 am – 9:00 am, Little Theatre
For our October PTA General Assembly Meeting, parents, teachers, and staff in the ISM
Community are all invited to attend our Travel Expo!
The following travel-related sponsors will be on campus with valuable information and special offers:
 Marsman Travel, our resident travel agency, will be there to introduce their latest travel packages and offers!
 KLM- Royal Dutch Airlines will be present special fares and programs to help you decide where to go this coming
semester break, Christmas break and Easter holidays.
 Representatives from twelve (12) different beautiful tourist resorts in the Philippines will be present to promote
special packages for ISM community members!
Please come and join us and get your travel plans organized!
for more information, please contact pta@ismanila.org
 
 


FROM THE ATAC OFFICE:
ISTA FESTIVAL:
ISM is excited to be hosting this year’s ISTA Middle School Theatre Festival! The International Schools Theatre
Association (ISTA) facilitates two MS festivals each year in Asia, which provide an amazing opportunity for
international students from around the world to engage in new theatrical experiences and to develop skills that will
deepen their passion for performance. As a school, ISM has been a proud supporter and participator of ISTA, and we
now have the opportunity to give the participants an experience they will never forget! We will be hosting the first ever
Musical Theatre ISTA festival, and we are very excited about welcoming other international students to the Philippines
and to our wonderful school.

The ISM ISTA Festival will take place November 19-21 (Friday to Sunday), and will involve as many as 100 students
from other countries, as well as our own ISM participants. As with any event, the whole ISM community has the
opportunity to get involved in this Middle School event. The most significant way for the ISM community to get
involved is to provide housing for the visiting students. If you are able to host some students, you may contact the
ATAC Office and/or the Fine Arts Office at badiangoj@ismanila.org and/or talense@ismanila.org . Most guests will
arrive on November 18th and will depart on either November 21st or 22nd. If you would like to help out with
organization or facilitation during the ISTA Festival, you may also contact Vicki Close in the Fine Arts Office
(closev@ismanila.org) for more details on how you can help.

More information about ISTA can be found at http://www.ista.co.uk/

We look forward to this fantastic event, and this excellent opportunity for ISM to “show Manila proud”!
Vicki Close John Mulhall Mark Pekin
Performing Arts Director MS Drama Faculty ATAC Director

1st Season Awards Dinner:  BEARCAT DEN:


st st
  The 1  Season Awards dinner is Thursday Oct 21  at the HS  Regular Opening Hours for the Bearcat Den:
  Gym and celebrates the first season efforts of all HS teams  Mon, Wed and Fridays from 11:30am – 1:00pm and 2:30pm
  for Volleyball/Cross Country and Football.  – 4:00pm. Please note after the October Break the den will
be opening on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons as well
from 2:30-4pm.
ATAC ES/MS SOCCER ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Thanks to all our great volunteers. If you would like to join
RIFA (7 a side) SOCCER FESTIVALS:  the Bearcat Den team of volunteers and contribute to
Teams involved:  school life with a fun group of people please drop by the
ES Midgets C2 (Coach Chris)      ES Midgets E1 (Coach Popoy)   den to find out more or email Chantal Wanten
ES Midgets G (Coach Besa)        ES Midgets E2 (Coach Mike)  fam.wanten@hotmail.com to have your name put on the
den roster.
MS Midgets C1 (Coach Eric)      MS Girls 3 teams: (Coach’s Kleng,    
Chris, Rudy)  Dri-Fit Polo - ladies 300
  Dri-Fit Polo – men 300
RIFA Festivals   Jogging Pants - men's/green 450
Remaining Dates/Venues ‐ Boys:  Shorts - Mesh - ISM 250
Shorts - Paw Print - black or green 200
 Sat Oct 9th @ Ateneo (Katipunan Ave) 7:30am – Noon 
Shorts - Spandex - black, ladies' 300
Girls RIFA Remaining Festival Dates/Venues:  Shorts - Spandex - black, mens' 350
 Sat Oct 9th @ Ateneo (Katipunan Ave) 12:30pm‐5pm  Tarpaulin Envelope Bag 150
Tarpaulin Messenger Bag 600
Tarpaulin Shopping Tote Bag 300
GAME SCHEDULE INFORMATION:
http://ismanila.org/_Rainbow/Documents/1st_season_game_sche
dule03.pdf OTHER MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE:
Information about all mid week/weekend fixtures for ISM teams ISM HOODIES 1,100
can be found by going to the GAME SCHEDULE tab on the ATAC ISM GYM BAGS:
page of the ISM website. You can also access this information via - NEW DESIGN, Large Size: 1,300
the ES/MS/HS divisional web pages. Please note the game - NEW DESIGN, Small Size: 1,100
schedule does change often due to involvement with many local - OLD DESIGN, Large Size only (small size is sold out): 950
schools so please check the page regularly to find out the latest NEW merchandise COMING SOON (clappers, pencil cases,
information of where and when the Bearcats teams are playing. water bottles)




FROM THE FINE ARTS OFFICE:


FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE:


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